Virat Kohli is the sixth Indian batsman to reach the 8000-run mark in test cricket.

Virat Kohli celebrated his 100th Test match on Friday by breaking yet another batting record at the PCA Stadium in Mohali during the opening Test of the current two-match series between India and Sri Lanka. Kohli became the sixth Indian batsman to achieve 8000 runs in Test cricket, and the fifth fastest in the country to do so.

After passing the 8000-run milestone, Kohli joined the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. Kohli has now scored 8000 runs in Test cricket, making him the 33rd batter to do so.

After Agarwal’s wicket went, the crowd in Mohali, India, erupted in applause as Kohli walked out to bat, praising every run the right-handed batter hit.

Before the start of play, the 33-year-old was also honoured by the home board, with batting legend and current India coach Rahul Dravid presenting him with a special hat and a souvenir in the presence of his Bollywood actress wife, Anushka Sharma.

India pulled in batters Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer to replace the seasoned combo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who were discarded due to inconsistency. Vihari looked sharp at the crease, batting in the number three slot left vacant by Pujara’s departure, and was unbeaten on 56 with Kohli.

Virat Kohli hasn’t scored an international century since November 2019, when he did it in a day-night Test against Bangladesh at home. Kohli’s Test form has slipped since 2020, with him averaging fewer than 45 runs per match. In 14 tests, he has scored 760 runs, including four fifties.